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scRNA-seq of Buteo buteo and Leucocytozoon toddi: Analysis with Seurat (R)

Rapp, Tim Maximilian1; Lautwein, Tobias2; Chakarov, Nayden1

Research facility: Department of Animal Behaviour
Published Jun 05, 2026 on Dryad. https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.sbcc2frf2

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Jun 05, 2026 version files 3.01 MB

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Abstract

Parasites and hosts perform fine-tuned cellular and molecular interactions, known from few well-explored model systems. Recent methodological advances allow such deep insights into non-model and phylogenetically remote organisms and their intense reciprocal manipulations within symbioses. We applied single cell RNA-sequencing to blood samples of long-lived wild avian hosts, infected at high and low intensity with malaria-related parasites. We identify diverse parasitic tools for immune evasion and potential manipulation of the avian host immune response. The transcriptomic response of immune cells was decoupled from the infection load, consistent with evidently low pathogenicity. Changes of immune cell populations showed low activation of adaptive immunity, such as clonal expansion of lymphoid cells. This absence of antagonism indicates immunosuppression by the parasite, enabling an adaptive match of life-histories and their long-term coevolution. The identified cell-type specific markers provide an important reference and help to understand the evolutionary forces that shape host immunity in birds. Our study illuminates in rare molecular detail a benign host-parasite interaction and annotates a large coevolutionary gap along the gradient from parasitism to commensalism and mutualism.